Engine starter gearing



' May l0, 1949. B. ULRICH, JR., ET AL 2,469,854

`ENGINE, STARTER GEARING Filed May 29, 1945 4 sheets-sheet 1 I @j l ATTRNEY B. ULRICH, JR., ET AL 2,469,854

May l0, 1949.

' ENGINE STARTER GEARING 4 sheets-sheet`2v Filed May 29, 1945 n 5s 7.a'

im@ l INVENIIORS 168 WITNESS f V TToRNEY mi if@ May 10, 1949. JR., 15T/1.1.` 2,469,854

ENGINE STARTER GEARING B. ULRICH 4 ,Sheets-'Sheet 3 Filed May 29, 1945 INVENTORS l: W, B

,ZF j.

TTORNE Y WITNESS 62m, WIT

Mayv 10, -1949.

Filed May 29, 1945 11.9 122 E f 133 :Q3: .15/ 115 116, 11 @3,4 129 110 'zrwn i 1 I 138 ill- III' zg '1:13am ffii Z1 "/ll, l" 112 l?? INVENTORS WITNESS f 4 seets-shet 4 ORNEY Patented May 10, 1949 UNITED TENT lomer.

ENGINE STARTER GEARING of Delaware Application May 29, 1945, Serial No. 596,514

(Cl. 'i4-9) l Claims.

The present invention relates to engine starters and more particularly to starter gearing of the type in which a pinion is automatically traversed into vand out of mesh with a gear of the engine to be started. It is an object of the .present invention to provide a novel engine starter drive in which the pinion is traversed into mesh with the engine gear by a small initial rotation of the starting motor whereby only a slight amount of kinetic energy is stored up in the rotating parts, and a small cushioning means is adequate to absorb the shock of engagement.

It is another object to provide such a device comprising novel means for insuring proper meshy ing engagement of the pinion with the engine gear.

It is a further object to provide such a device comprising novel means :for preventing the pinion from drifting into undesired engagement with .a

the engine gear.

It is another object to provide such a device including an overrunning clutch connection to the pinion, and means for holding the pinion in mesh with the engine gear until the engine is reliably i self-operative.

It is another object to provide such a device in which the holding means for the pinion may be manually and/or centrifugally controlled.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig, 1 is a side elevation partly in section of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the parts inoperative or cranking position;

Fig. 4 is a rear end view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a detail in perspective of the control member and pinion illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, shown in disassembled relation;

Fig. 6 is a detail in perspective of the enclosing barrel member shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation partly in section of an embodiment of the invention incorporating means for positively holding the pinion in mesh, only the drive end of the starting motor being illustrated;

Fig. 8 is a similar view of the opposite end of the starting motor of the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 illustrating the starting switch and electromagnetic actuating means, the remaining elements of the starting system being shown diagrammatically;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Figs. 7 and 8, show-f ing the parts in operative or driving position, the motor being shown only in a fragmentary manner in order to allow the parts of the starter drive to be shown more clearly;

Fig. 10 is a detail in perspective of the barrel and clutch member shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a section taken substantially on the line H-H of Fig. 9;

Fig. i2 is a side elevation partly in sectionA of third embodiment of the invention'in which the pinion is arranged to travel outwardly away from the starting motor into mesh with the engine gear;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation partly in section of the drive shown in Fig. 12, with the parts in cranking position;

Fig. 14 is a detail in perspective of the driving and traversing sleeve shown in Figs. 12 and .13 with its set screw and detent pin shown in disiassembled relation; and

Fig. 15 is a section taken substantially on the line Iii-l5 of Fig. 12.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing there is illustrated a. motor I having an extended armature shaft 2 and a pinion 3 slidably journalled on the shaft for longitudinal movement into and out of mesh with a gear i of an engine to'be started. A control member 5 forthe pinion is also slidably journalled on the power shaft 2 and is provided with diametrically arranged inclined slots 6 and l (Figs. 2 and 5) which slidably receive the ends of a pin 8 xedly mounted in the power shaft 2 whereby relative rotation of the control member on the shaft causes longitudinal movement ofthe control member.

Means for connecting the pinion for longitudinal movement with the control member is provided in the form of a spring 9 interposedbetween said members, and a barrel member or casing ll. The barrel is attached at one end to the hub i2 of the pinion as by means of an inturned flange I 3 bearing in a groove I4 in said hub, and the other end of the barrel is spun over the end of the control mem-ber 5 as shown at l5 so as to limit the separation of the control member and pinion and maintain the spring 9 under initial compression. The barrel member IlV is non-rotatably connected to the control member as by means of a rib or dimple i6 which is forced into a groove Il in the control member as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The pinion 3 is connected positively to rotate with the' control membe'r by cutting away the hub of the pinion to form tongues I8, and I9 engine gear.

(Fig. and by forming a diametral slot 2| in the end of the control member adapted to slidably receive said tongues.

According to the present invention, the inclined slots 6 and 1 in the control member are so formed as to secure the traversal of the pinion into mesh with the engine gear after only a very small amount of rotation of the control member on the power shaft. This prevents the building up of any substantial amount of kinetic energy in the rotating parts prior to the engagement of the pin 8 in the ends of said slots, so that said engagement takes place, and thecranking load is assumed, without objectionable shock. This result is accomplished by forming the portions of the slots S and 1 occupied by the pin while in idle position at a small angle to the plane of rotation for a sufficient distance to secure initial entry of the teeth of the pinion 3 into the tooth spaces of the engine gear while the remainder of the slots are inclined steeply to the plane of rotation whereby traversal of the control member and pinion is greatly accelerated, such traversal being insured by the fact that rotation of the pinion at this time is prevented by its engagement with the engine gear.

When the initial inclination of the slot is made about from the plane of rotation, and the steeper portions of the slots are inclined at about '10 to the plane of rotation, it has been found possible to secure the desired traversal of the pinion by rotation of the control member on the power shaft through about 60. The kinetic energy of the rotating parts is thereby prevented from building up to a substantial amount prior to assumption of the cranking load, so that little, if any, cushioning means are required to secure satisfactory operation. In order to secure quiet operation of the drive, however, it is preferred to utilize small cushioning means in the ends of the slots 6 and 1 to receive the impact of the ends of the pin 8 thereon. As shown in Fig. 5, these cushions are in the form of blocks 22, 23 seated in enlargements 24, 25 in the ends of the slots 6, 1 and formed with hollow cylindrical surfaces 26 for receiving the ends of the pin.

The pin 8 is locked in the motor shaft 2 by means of a stud 21 threaded in the end of the shaft and provided with a conical point 28 engaging in a corresponding recess 29 in the side of `the pin. The stud 21 also serves as a mounting means for anti-drift spring 3| which is clamped on the end of the motor shaft by the head 32 of '36 are preferably beveled at about 45 as shown so as to cam out the arms of the anti-drift spring .when sufficient rotational force is applied.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention and starting with the parts in the positions illustrated in Fig. 1, acceleration of the ,power shaft 2 by the starting motor causes the control member 5 to free itself from the anti- `drift spring 3|, by virtue of the rotational iner- Atia of the unit of which it forms a part, and to be traversed by the travel of the pin 8 in slots 6, 1 so as to move the pinion 3 into mesh with the If tooth abutment should occur between the pinion and the engine gear, the movement of the pinion is momentarily arrested thus compressing the spring 9. Torque is thereby built up by the rotary component of force transmitted to the control member by the pin 8 whereby the control member and pinion are rotated to index the pinion into proper registry with the tooth spaces of the engine gear whereupon the spring 9 expands and snaps the pinion into initial mesh and the meshing movement proceeds until arrested by the engagement of the pin 8 in the ends of the slots 6, 1, such engagement being cushioned by the rubber blocks 22, 23. The control member and pinion are thereupon constrained to rotate with the power shaft thus rotating the gear 4 to crank the engine. When the engine starts, the acceleration of the pinion 3' is transmitted to the control member 5 causing it to be traversed back to idle position where it is retained by the detent action of the anti-drift spring 3|.

In Figs. '1 to l1, inclusive, of the drawing, there is illustrated an embodiment of the invention in which the driving pinion is positively held in mesh with the engine gear by a locking means which is under the control of the operator.

In Fig. 7 of the drawing there is illustrated a starting motor having a hollow armature shaft 5| on which is slidably journalled a pinion 52 adapted to be moved into and out of mesh with a member such as a gear 53 of an engine to be started. A control member 54 for the pinion is also slidably journalled on the shaft 5| and is provided with radial slots 55 and 56 which are inclined to the axis oi the member as best shown in Fig. 10. A pin 5l extends diametrically through the shaft 5| with its ends slidably engaging in the slots 55, 56 of the control member whereby relative rotation between the shaft and control member causes longitudinal movement of the control member. The pin 51 is fixed in the shaft 5| by means of a stud 58 threaded into the end of the shaft and having a conical point 59 entering a corresponding recess 60 in the pin.

Means are provided for rotating the pinion 52 from the control member 54 and for moving the pinion longitudinally therewith. As here shown this means comprises a clutch member 6| splined on the hub 62 of the pinion, being retained thereon by a ring 63 fixed on the hub in any suitable manner as by swaging or upsetting the hub as shown at 64. A spring 65 is arranged to yieldingly hold the clutch member 6| against the retaining ring 63. The control member 54 is enlarged as indicated at 66 and is provided with a circular series of recesses 61 (Fig. 11) having cam surfaces 68, and clutch rolls 69 are located in said recesses and cooperate with said cam surfaces to form an overrunning clutch connection between the control member 54 and the driven clutch member 6|. The clutch member 6| is retained in the enlarged portion 66 of the control member by means of an annular plate 1|! attached to said control member by swaging or spinning over a lip 1| thereof.

Means for holding the control member in idle position is provided comprising an anti-drift spring 12 which is clamped on the end of the power shaft 5| by means of the stud 58, the ends of said spri-ng being arranged to enter notches 13 and 'I3' formed in the end of the control member as best shown in Fig. 10.

The interior of the control member has an annular recess 14 formed therein providing an inclined shoulder 15. A detent pin l5 is mounted in the shaft 5| with freedom for radial sliding movement, and is provided with a head l1 so 1o-` cated and formed as to engage with the inclined shoulder l5 of the control member when the pinion is in mesh with the engine gear 53 as show-n in Fig. 9. The head 'Il of pin 'H5 is enlarged with respect to the remainder of the pin whereby centrifugal force causes the pin to enter the recess 'M and engage the shoulder 'I5 when the shaft 5| is rotating.

Means under the control of the operator for applying radial pressure to the head Ti of pin 'I6 to cause it to engage the control member 54, and to hold the pin in engagement with the shoulder i5 is provided in the form of a plunger 18 which is slidably mounted in the shaft 5| and is beveled on its end so as to engage the correspondingly beveled inner surface of the head In the present invention a starting system is provided which incorporates a unitary electromagnetic means for energizing the starting motor and at the same time causing force to beapplied to the plunger 73 to urge it toward operative position. As shown in Fig. 8, the starting system comprises a battery 'i5 grounded at 8|] and connected by a lead Sil to a starting switch comprising fixed contacts 82 and 83 and a bridging contact 8d. A lead 85 connects the starting switch to the live terminal 85 of the starting motor, the motor being grounded at 5l to complete the starting circuit. Electro-magnetic means for actuating the starting switch is provided comprisy ing a solenoid 88 connected by a lead 5S and manual switch 95 to the battery lead 8|, and grounded at 9| to complete the solenoid circuit. The core 92 of the solenoid carries the bridging contact 84 of the starting switch on one end, and at its other end has connected thereto in any suitable manner a rod 93 which terminates in a head 913 slidably mounted in a recess 95 i-n the plunger 'I8 and retained therein in any suitable manner as indicated at 55. A compression spring 9'! is located in the recess 95, to yieldably transmit thrust from the rod 93 to the plunger, a ball bearing 98 being preferably interposed to reduce friction.

The starting switch and the electro-magnetic actuating means are preferably mounted on the end of the starting motor 55 as by means of a suitable casing 99 attached thereto as indicated at |05 whereby the core 92 of the solenoid is located in position to receive the end of the rod 93 as it projects axially from the motor shaft 5|.

Means for yieldably holding the starting switch open and the plunger 'i8 in retracted position is provided in the form of a light spring |il| bearing against a partition |02 in the starting switch casing, and urging the core 92 away from its centered relation with respect to the solenoid, 8B. In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, closure of the manual switch 90 by the operator causes energization of the solenoid 88 thus closing the starting switch and at the same time moving the rod 93 to apply pressure through the spring 97 to the plunger 18. The rotation of the power shaft 5| causes the ends of the pin 5l to traverse the inclined slots 55,

56 of the control member 5t thereby advancing the control member, and consequently moving th-e pinion 52 into mesh with the engine gear 53. If tooth abutment should occur between the pinion and engine gear, the spring B5 will be compressed until initial rotation of the control member is transmitted through the rollers 59 and driven clutch member 6| to the pinion, indexing it into proper registry with the tooth spaces of the engine gear whereupon the spring 65 expands and the meshing movement of the pinion continues until arrested by engagement of the pin 57 with the ends of the slots 55, 56.

When the control member 54 has traversed suiiiciently to move the pinion into its fully meshed position, the recess 14 in the control member is brought into registry with the detent pin 76 in the power shaft, whereupon the pin is moved outwardly by the camming effect of the plunger 'i3 as actuated by the expansion of the spring Sl. Thereafter the engagement of the detent with the inclined shoulder prevents retrograde motion of the control member 54 as long as the starting switch is held closed.

When the pin 57 engages the ends of the slots 55, in the control member, the parts are constrained to rotate in unison, and this rotation is transmitted through the clutch rollers 59 to the clutch member 5| and pinion 52 whereby the engine gear 53 is rotated to crank the engine. When the engine starts, the acceleration of the engine gear causes the pinion 52 to be rapidly accelerated but this rotation is not transmitted to the armature of the ystarting motor by reason of the disconnection of the overrunning clutch 66, 69, 6|. If the engine should not remain selfoperative, cranking will be resumed as soon as the rotational speed of the pinion 52 by the starting motor equals that of the engine gear. When the engine has become reliably self-operative, the operator opens the manual switch 9|) thus deenergizing the solenoid 88 whereupon the starting switch 32, 85', 8&4 is opened, and the plunger 'i8 v is retracted by the expansion of spring lill.

The deceleration of the power shaft 5| caused by the deenergization of the starting motor, together with the rotational drag transmitted to the control member 56| from the pinion 52 through the overrunning clutch tends to return the control member to idle position which action is permitted by the detent T6 as soon as the rotation of the armature shaft has slowed down sufficiently to reduce the effect of centrifugal force thereon. When the control member reaches idle position, the ends of the anti-drift spring l2 engage within the recesses '13, 13 on the end of the control member and yieldingly resist rotation of the control member away from idle position.

It has been found in practical use of this embodiment of the invention that when the slots 55 and 56 in the control member 54 are formed in the manner set forth in the description of the rst embodiment of the invention, the operation of the drive is satisfactory without the incorporation of any cushioning means in the ends of said slots. If deemed desirable, however, such Acushioning means may be incorporated as illustrated in Fig. 10 in the form of blocks |03 of elastically deformable material seated in enlargements in the ends of the slots and formed to receive the ends of the pin 51 and thereby arrest the meshing movement of the control member.

A sleeve |04 is preferably mounted on the eX- terior of the control member 54 to enclose the parts and to assist in retaining the cushioning blocks |03 when such are employed. This sleeve may be xed on the control member in any suitable manner as indicated at |55.

In Figs, 12 to l5 of the drawing there is illustrated an embodiment of the invention of socalled outboard type in which the pinion moves outwardly away from the starting motor when it engages the engine gear. As there shown, a hollow armature shaft ||0 extends outwardly from the end bearing of the starting motor greatest vided exteriorly with inclined grooves |20', |'2|.

A' control memberv |22 is jou'rnalled on the sleeve controlmenb'r but as long as pressure is maintained by the rod |38'on the plunger |35, the pin andhas fixed thereon a pair of pins 23, and f |24, arranged to project into the inclined grooves in the sleeve whereby relative rotation of said members causes translation of the control memf ber along the shaft.

Means'for actuatingthe pinion H5 from th control member |22 is provided comprising any overrunning clutch connection formed byrollers '|25 seated in kan' enlarged portion |23 of the con--A trol member and adapted to cooperate withk a' driven clutch member |21 which is splined on the hub |28 of pinion H5. The longitudinal movement of the clutch member |21 is .transmitted yieldingly to pinion i5 through a spring |23, they 'spring being maintained under initial compres sion'by a retaining ring |3| xed onfthe end of the pinion hub. A cover plate |32, crimped in the end of the control member serves to enclose the clutch mechanism and to retain the clutch member |2'| in the end of the control member.

Means forr holding the pinion i I5 in mesh with n the engine gear |55 isy provided in the form of a detent pin |33 mountedin theshaft |10 and sleeve Il with freedom for radial Sliding move` ment so as to engage theinterior of the controll member. The rear of the control meml'oerisbev-fj eled as shown at |315; and the pin` |33 is so located thatr When the parts yare in cranking' positiomxthel pin engages the beveled portion of the control` member as shown in Fig. 13, so as to prevent retrograde motion of the control'member.

Means for actuating the detent |33v is provided; comprising a plunger |35 slidably mounted'within the shaft and having a beveledportion' |33l adapted to engage a corresponding beveled por tion |37 on the inner endof the detent. Arod' |38 corresponding to the actuating rod 33 of Figs. '7 to 9 inclusive is arranged to actuatethe" plunger .through a yielding connection compris-l ing the compression spring |33. 1t will'be under` stood that the rod |33 may be operated-in the same manner as the rod 93 so that further illustration of said operating means is deemed unnec-v essary.

In the ooeration of this embodiment of the in'u vention, starting with the parts inthe 'positions' illustrated in Fie. l2, acceleration of the power1` shaft lit by the starting motor causes the sleeve'f to rotate and thereby traverse the` controle member i22- to the right by means ofthe pin'and' slot connection therebeti-veen in the manner previously desc ed. When. the pinion i5 ismeshed" with the engine gear H6, the detent pin |33is' brought into engagement with the beveled face itt oi the control member |22 under the action of plunger tias illustratedin` Fig; 13: Further rotation of the power shaft Het isti'ansmitted through thc control member |22 and clutch rolls i125 to the clutch member |37XV and pinion Mil whereby the engine gear 'is rotatedto' rank the engine.

When the engine fires, the acceleration ofthe engine gear causes the pinion ||5to`'overrinitheev 'f5A1 jiir'n'alled'on `the"`power shaft for movement into` |33 prevents demeshing movement of the control member and pinion.

When theeng'ine is reliably self-operative the f f operator releases the rod |38 and deenergizes the starting motor whereupon the power shaft |||l decelerates. `The plunger |35is withdrawn from the" detent` |33, and when the speed of rotation of the power shaft is reduced sufficiently, drag of tl' overrunning clutch, and the inertiar of the partsovercomes the centrifugal force acting on the detent pin so that the pin is cammed down intothe sleeve ||l|y and the parts returned to their idle position.

Although certain embodiments of the invention havebeen shown and 'described in detail, itwill be understood that other embodiments are possible and that variations in the design and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention` as dec fined in' the yclaims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

l'. 1n an engine starter drive a power shaft, a

pinion slidabl'y journalled `thereon for movement intofandout of mesh with a 'gear of an engine to be started, means for actuating the pinion includ- `ing a control `member loosely mounted on the shaft; means for imparting rotaryandlongitudinal movement from the control member to the pinion, said control member having an inclined slot, a pin diametrically'traversingthe shaft and said siot to form an inclinedconnection between rthe shaft and control member, a detent spring on the shaft adapted to 'engagethe control member when in idle position andyieldingly oppose f movement thereof, and unitary means for imniobilizing the pin and the spring with respect toy 2. l'n an engine starter drive a motor shaft, a control member slidably journalled thereon and having an inclined driving connection therewith,l apiiohhaving' an overrunning clutch connection with the control member and movable thereby into andy out of mesh with a gear of an engine to bestarted, and means under the control of the operator lfor holding the pinion in mosh with the engine gear. y

y 3.1 In: an engine starter drive a motor shaft, a control member slidebly journallecl thereon and havin'gr` 'anlii'ic'lined driving connection therewith,` a pinionh'aving an overrunning clutch connection \vith"the` control member and movable thereby into and out of mesh' with a gear of an engine to beffstart'ed,` andmeans energiaed concomitantly 'vviih-4 the actuation of the motor shaft for preventing `retrograde longitudinal movement of the control member.

4. In anengine starter drive a motor shaft, a

control member slidably jcurnalled thereon and having an inclined driving connection therewith, api'nioiihavingan overrunning clutch connection with the control member and movable thereby' intoand out oi mesh with a gear of an engine' t be started, means including a4 detent movable by centrifugalfrce into engagement with the' and out of mesh with a gear of an engine to be started, means including an overrunning clutch actuated by the power shaft for shifting the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and thereafter rotating the pinion to crank the engine, means for holding the pinion in mesh with the engine gear, and unitary means for closing the starting switch and actuating the holding means.

6. In an engine starting system, a starting circuit including a motor and a starting switch, said motor having a power shaft, a pinion slidably journalled on the power shaft for movement into and out of mesh with a gear of an engine to be started, means including an overrunning clutch actuated by the power shaft for shifting the pinion into mesh with the engine gear and thereafter rotating the pinion to crank the engine, detent means for holding the pinion in mesh with the engine gear, and unitary means for closing the starting switch and actuating the holding means, said actuating means including a yielding connection which permits the starting switch to close prior to movement of the detent into holding position.

7. In an engine starting system a starting motor having a hollow power shaft, a control member slidably journalled on the power shaft and having an inclined connection therewith for longitudinal movement thereon and rotary movement thereon and therewith, a pinion having an overrunning clutch connection with the control member and movable thereby into and out of mesh with a gear of an engine to be started, said control member having an interior annular shoulder, a detent mounted in the shaft for radial movement into engagement with said shoulder to prevent longitudinal movement of the control member in a direction to demesh the pinion, and means including a plunger slidably mounted in the power shaft and engageable with said detent to hold the detent in operative position,

8. In an engine starting system a starting motor having a hollow power shaft, a control member slidably journalled on the power shaft and having an inclined connection therewith for longitudinal movement thereon and rotary movement thereon and therewith, a pinion having an overrunning clutch connection with the control member and movable thereby into and out of mesh with a gear of an engine to be started, said control member having an interior annular shoulder, a detent mounted in the shaft for radial movement into engagement with said shoulder to prevent longitudinal movement of the control member in a direction to demesh the pinion, a plunger slidably mounted in the power shaft and engageable -with said detent to hold the detent in operative position, manually controlled electro-magnetic means for closing said starting switch and a yielding operative connection between said electro-magnetic means and plunger.

9. In an engine starter drive a hollow power shaft, a sleeve fixed thereon having an inclined groove formed therein, a control member havi'ng a pin fixed therein and slidable in said groove, a pinion slidably journalled on the power shaft having an overrunning clutch connection to the control member and movable thereby into and out of mesh with a gear of an engine to be started, a detent pin mounted in said shaft and sleeve for radial sliding movement into engagement with said control member to prevent demeshing movement thereof, and a plunger slidable axially in the shaft into engagement with the detent pin to hold it in operative position.

10. In an engine starter drive a hollow power shaft, a sleeve fixed thereon, a control member loosely mounted on the sleeve and having an inclined connection therewith, a pinion slidably journalled on the power shaft, means including an overrunning clutch for actuating the pinion from the control member, a detent mounted in the sleeve and movable into engagement with the control member to prevent demeshing movement thereof, and means for holding the detent in operative position.

BERNHARD ULRICH, JR. GEORGE W. PONTIUS, III.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,540,565 Pelto June 2, 1925 1,819,391 Snyder Aug. 18, 1931 1,866,737 Walker July 12, 1932 1,955,110 Brockway Apr. 17, 1934 2,199,714 Rose May 7, 1940 2,235,430 Jencick Mar. 18, 1941 

